Pieces of rock and concrete fell in top of both Changelings as they continued with their fight, by now everything around them was collapsing but non of them paid much attention, their entire focus was on each other, but that's was as far as their situation was equal, while Pharynx was fighting with desperation, Crimson was taking her time, while Pharynx was injured and looked exhausted, Crimson was mostly fine and cool headed.

" Are you in a hurry? That's too bad, it would be terrible if you can't escape in time to save your pathetic little brother, wouldn't it? ".

Pharynx growled between breaths. " I will rip your bucking stinger and shoved down your throat! You'll see! ". Pharynx prepared to go once more.

" You can try, and let say that you succeed, chances are your going to find your brother buried under the rubble of this cesspool you call home ".

As much as he tried, Pharynx couldn't avoid thinking in what his enemy told him, and that broke the last semblance of patience he had left, by all means, he was in the worst position possible for somepony like him, as much as he acted aggressive and obnoxious to his little brother he loved him over his own life, which made him spit in disgust after thinking that he and Crimson weren't so different after all.

With all his desperation boiling he went in the attack again but like before all Crimson did was vibrate her insect wings tremendous speed, Pharynx was now able to tell when one of those shockwaves came his way but just avoiding the air slash took a lot out of him, also, the combined injuries sustained so far were making him slow to react, long range attacks didn't have much effect and to repeat the trick he used to burn her tail he need it to be close enough, in short he was stuck and losing precious time, besides, if the bombing wasn't enough he was sure there were more evil changelings getting ready to attack again, it was a hunch and one he was sure to be correct as much as he whished to be wrong.

Again he had to back away to avoid losing a leg, again he was forced back and concide
terrain, again he was on the retreat, again and again, with less room to move, with less strength to fight, with less time to save his brother and his home.

" Give it up traitor! You have no way of defeat me! If you think you can somehow turn things around you are just lying to yourself! Give up, give up and I should give you a quick dead! ".

" Like buck you would! ". Answered back Pharynx, he was by now running in fumes and growing weaker, but another explosion nearby reminded him that he was fighting against time as well, he couldn't afford losing here and certainly not now, taking a deep breath he thought of a plan that could help him but came empty, nothing could be done unless he got close and surpassed her wing attack and indeed he found a way, but it would be risky, very risky, he also needed to change the terrain to a place more open and that wouldn't fell on top of him.

Deciding in implementing his plan Pharynx call her out. " Ha! I new I could find a plan to defeat you if I thought hard enough! Now is your turn to tremble! ".

" You... You what?! ". Getting back in his hooves, Pharynx made a run for the corridor opposite to Crimson. He knew where the corridor led and what advantages could provide him with. As he ran through the empty hallway he could hear the trotting of Crimson's hooves as she chased after him. He smiled to himself knowing that he got her to follow, now all he need it was to make it all the way where he need it and survive another round against Crimson and last long enough to make sure his brother made it out of the city, easy.

CANTERLOT GENERAL HOSPITAL...

After his encounter with the young girl and the annoying doctor, Lime Grass made it to the 3rd floor where his daughter was currently been attended. Before he could make it to the door, say door was opened from inside the room.

" Ah! Good timing Chief, I just finished with Miss Lemon ".

" How is she Doctor, is she better? Is she back to normal? ". Grass asked desperate.

" Let's go to another room first ". Grass nodded but he didn't like it, the fact that the doctor wanted to speak in private meant bad news. It didn't took long before they were seating inside a small office used by the staff for dealing with paperwork.

" Ok, let's begin for her physical condition, as we talked before she has a few injuries comprensible to her past incident, non of those are life threatening of course. We checked other aspects such as internal injuries, including organs, brain and... to her womanhood ". The doctor did a small pause to give Lime chance to absorb the news.
" Like before, she's fine on those details, you don't need to worry about those. Now on to the mental state of your daughter, again, taking in account the stuff that happened to her, some of her symptoms are understandable, expected even, but the main issue, her lack of emotions, we can't explain it, at least for now ".

" You mentioned that other patients show similar symptoms, right? ". Lime asked looking for more information.

" Yes, so far all that connect all the patients with the same symptoms is the fact that they were the ones attacked by the escapees from yesterday, according to witnesses, they all were restrained and then the perpetrator did something similar to... a kiss or something, is the best that could described under the circumstances ".

Grass didn't contradict the doctor, after all he and his people did the investigation as well and asked many of the witnesses too and they told them the same thing. The doctor continued. " We checked the blood for toxins or any other chemical induced but so far non of the victims show any signs of been drugged or poisoned. We are completely baffled by this situation, whatever is afflicting your daughter and the other patients it remains a mystery for the time being ".

Grass closed his eyes and tried not to lash at everything, he was getting more and more desperate for not knowing how to help his little girl. " Having said that, your daughter IS behaving different than the other victims, which is worth mentioning ".

Grass grimaced, this was something he did wanted to avoid at all cost. " I don't think that what you're suggesting is gonna help, if anything I have my reasons to believe that this all started because of them! ".

" I understand your point, but it is still a chance, so far your daughter is the only one that shows any interest whatsoever, if you allow her to speak with-! ".

" I said NO! Talking with that person could only stress her, I rather you look for another option ".

The doctor stood silent for a minute before considering. " Very well, we'll keep trying, we already have a few psychologist checking them out, your daughter will have her turn tomorrow. That's all we can talk for today, you can see her if you wish ".

" Thanks ". Lime Grass shook the doctor's hand and went to his daughter's room.
As soon as he made it inside Lemon Grass turned his way. She was dressed only in a hospital gown and had her hair spread over one shoulder. For a moment there Like thought he was looking at his wife but after shaking his head his vision cleared.

" Have you seen Sunset Shimmer? Is she coming? ". Asked the girl with no emotion behind her voice, her eyes showing the same lack of life behind them.

" No sweetie ,I haven't seen her ". He approached the bed and sat next to her, he took her hand between his. " I'm here Lemon, tell me what's wrong, what do you feel? Do you need something, anything? I got you your music! The music you love so much sweetie, please, just tell me something! Just... tell me what can I do to make you feel better! ". Lime implored.

Lemon cocked her head left, her eyes locking with his, her eyes, once full of life now looked just like empty wells and his heart could barely take it. " Can I talk with Sunset Shimmer? Can you bring her? ". She asked again.

Like let go of her and stood, hand forming fists. " Why? Why her? What do she have that you need to speak with her? Will you go back to normal if you do? Tell me please!".
The girl didn't answer, slowly, she simply turned her head forward and went quiet, leaving her father with a lump in his throat and a tight fist gripping his heart.

OUTSIDE OF CANTERLOT...

Aria cursed inside her mind, it was bad enough that they were found by the police sneaking around but now they wanted proof of who they were, if there was one thing she never thought about was to get an ID after coming back to Canterlot with Cheerilee.

" Like, we don't have it with us right now but, we could, like, give it to you later, how about it ". Aria even winked to the officer using her more sultry tone but this however have the officer more reason to be suspicious.

" I'm sorry but you'll have to come with us to the station ".

" No! Wait! We, we came to, eh, to, we came to-! ".

" Those ladies came to help me with my research! ". All four turned to see another person walking clumsily toward them. The person had his shoes and the ankles of his pants covered in mud, he was also carrying jars inside a bag, the jars had mushrooms and other oddities inside.

" Can we help you? ".

The professor took a few deep breaths before answering. " Yes, yes you can, by leaving my two assistants go, they were voluntarily helping me get some samples for CHS science and chemistry classes, I was assigned to pick two of our former students and request their aid in getting the samples we need it, but due to some change of schedule I didn't give the girls time to take their wallets and that's why they can't provide you with IDs ". The man explained.

The two officers looked confused again. " Is this true? ".

" Yes! Like, totally true guys, sorry we didn't say anything but, like you guys kinda of scared us ".

" Do you have an iD with yourself? ".

The man handled the identification. " Professor Time Turner, born in Yorkshire England, science Professor in Canterlot High School, age 30 ".

" And, with a doctorate in Quantum mechanics dear officer! ".

" Ok, everything seems legitimate, fine, take those two with you and leave the area, an investigation is taking place here ".

" Very good officers, now then ladies, let's go back to my car ".

" Wait! We are very clo-! ".

" Come on Starly! Like let's leave before the nice guys get mad ". Aria pulled Starlight before she could pick the handkerchief back.

Once inside the car, the professor drove back to the city. " You're lucky Luna told me you girls were coming, otherwise you could have end up in the police station and I doubt that they would let you go easily ".

" Grrrr! Tell me about it, is bad enough that they saw our faces but to get caught? That would have been a disaster! ".

" But we were so close! I believe Big Mac is pretty close to the bridge, the spell was working perfectly! Just a little more and we could have found a clue of maybe even Mac himself! ".

" While I also want nothing more but to see him back and well, you need to be extra careful, your identity and the true about your world must remain hidden or something terrible could happen to everyone involved ". Turned told them while they walked away, both girls silently understanding the gravity of what the man was talking.

Left behind, the two officer discussed whatever to inform of what just happened.
" Forget it, the Chief has a lot in his plate with his daughter and the shit that happened in the hospital and the club, hell, just the stuff that happened in Rich's Warehouse was enough to trigger him, let's just forget this and keep looking out ".

" Guess you're right, hey, didn't one of the girls dropped something? ".

" She did? What? Where? ".

" I think it was around here but I don't see anything? ".

" Maybe you just imagine it, let's go ".

The other cop kept looking down for what he believed he saw but as much as he tried he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary ". Come on man! Stop slacking off! ".

" Fine! I'm coming! ". Giving up, the last cop left, but just a few feet away, the handkerchief was still been pulled by the effect of the spell, slowly, the handkerchief was dragged over the ground until it reached the edge of the river, then it kept going, submerging inside the stream but it wasn't strong enough, the fast current pulled it away from it's true direction, the portal to Equestria hidden under the bridge.

REBEL'S HIDEOUT...

The high members of the rebellion watched as the last of the crystals were dropped over the Changeling city reducing it surface to rubble and smoke, from the sky a huge number of rainbow colored circles could be seen wherever one of those crystals fell.
From a second giant cloud, a new squadron of evil Changelings emerged to dispatch any defender left in the air and surface but their main objective was to assure the end of the false king and his brother. " Destroy what's left my children! Today, today is the day we reclaim the real title of Changelings! ".

" Yes! Our Empress! For the hive! ".

" For the hive! ". This new number of attackers was equal to the previous one but while the first one lost the element of surprise, this one had it. With the Empress at the lead they also had a boost of moral and confidence making their second wave more terrifying that the first one.

" Bug Queen stupid, bug Queen wants to die! ". Barked Chomper.

" While leading at the front of an army is risky it also give you an edge that could prove decisive in battle ".

" Hmm, still stupid, Queen dies, bugs run away, rebels lose, battle in vain, crystals wasted for nothing! ".

" Of course, your poor crystals ". Abigail rolled her eyes in annoyance. She continued to observe until Chomper spoke again after sniffing the air loudly.

" Something smells, smell odd, don't like smell! ".

" We smell too! ". One of the dog bodyguards spoke after his master.

Before Abigail could silence them to let her keep watching she remembered her condition and then knew that they were probably smelling her, in a rare moment of weakness, she got embarrassed by this, fortunately, her hood prevented anypony from seen this but she now needed to go and clean herself without been discovered.

" Rawhorn, did the Empress left anything in her chamber? ".

The bipedal bull was caught off guard by the question but got his composure back quickly. " A few guards are protecting the chamber my lady, I'm sure she left something but as to what is, I don't know. If you whish I can-! ".

" No, I'll see for myself, keep watch of the orb while I'm gone ". Abigail left as calmly as possible, for a moment it looked like the dogs bodyguards would block her path but Chomper growled and they moved out of the way before she need it to do it herself.

Once outside, she did her way back to her Chambers rather than for the Changeling's, she truly wanted to check the place before Spear and her sister came back, but she would first take care of her problem.

Walking back all the way to her room was pure torture, while she didn't cross any other creature along the way she was still annoyed by the sticky and cold feeling in her loins, more than once she has tried to get rid of her condition with magic and others methods but just like her former mentor told her, one couldn't fight against their own nature, no matter how pony she looked, she was and always would be a human female inside. Inside her room Abigail took her towel and a bar of soap, she also said lol out a new cape and hood from her small wardrobe, a simple gray piece of cloth, nothing fancy or glamorous, she also didn't even used perfume or any kind of jewelry, she was as modest as she could be, she didn't craved those things like she once did when she was just a teen, her life was dedicated to the goal of destroying everything Princess Celestia build during her time, nothing else mattered to her, she just needed her plans and her pawns, simple as that.

Once ready she walked out of her room and went through another tunnel a bit further from her chamber but still within her area, again, no pony or any other creature would dare venture near her quarters in fear of upsetting her and she was happy with that. While she didn't really care much about how she was seen, she wasn't bothered in the slightest by their fear of her, quiet the contrary , it helped to discourage future attacks from her secret rivals who wanted her gone. They were annoying but also cowards who let somepony else do the dirty work and suffer the consequences of failure, she pity them but she wouldn't offer any mercy to them even if they cooperated in telling who had send them for her.

A bit further and she finally reached the door that marked the end of the tunnel, the door was sealed with her own magic to prevent unwanted visitors, the Changelings wouldn't dig deeper around since the next area was next to the subterranean part of the river that ran close to the hideout. The river worked in the human world as a natural camouflage to hide the portal to Equestria just as it did in this world. In the lower part of the giant rock that was the hideout, there were many fissures from which water passed through the walls forming small pools providing the rebels with the much needed liquid without risking going outside frequently.

While the water was always fresh, it wasn't always clean, since the equestrian water got mixed with the human one, a lot of trash found its way to the pools, sometimes trash big enough to block the fissures. She opened the door with her magic and to her bad luck, it seemed that one of such pieces of trash found its way to her personal pool.

Her displeasure was evident right away. " For the love of-! ". Abigail approached the pool carefully, she didn't have the amulet with her right now but she was still powerful enough to defend herself from any traitor or assassin. She distinguished a big red lump, it was a pony, a stallion for the looks of it, bigger that any other she had encounter, the body was just floating immobile in the suffice.

This was either one of the last victims from Emerald Breeze or the Changelings, she would have to warn them not to throw their used toys/food in the river. She used her magic to pull him out of the water and let him drop hard in the flat stone floor, at the hard contact the big pony grunted causing Abigail to jump surprised dropping her towel, cape and soap. " He's still alive! ".

She prepared magic in her horn just in case this was a trap but she didn't think it was, she kicked the pony on the side and in response the stallion coughed water and trashed weakly, with much effort he managed to turn to his other side exposing his front to the smaller mare, her eyes caught sight of burns in his barrel and front hooves, there was blood marks as well only distinguished in the burned fur.

She watched with curiosity as he took raspy and elaborated breaths, she couldn't imagine how long was he left like that and much less how did he survived been dragged through the underwater passways without drowning, if anything this stallion was extremely lucky.

She went back to look at the burn marks, they looked recently afflicted, which meant that he was not one of Emerald's recent victims, and the burning marks couldn't come from the Changelings since they couldn't shoot magic like their hated cousins, so then who inflicted such burns, he was alive so maybe he could point out how he end up here but in all honesty Abigail didn't felt like dealing with this right now. It was obvious that if he was not treated he would die from the injuries or from infection.

Taking her decision, Abigail prepared her magic. " Sorry, but I don't have the time not the intension of healing you, don't take it personally, you just run out of luck ".

Abigail moved around the big pony to point her horn directly to the head. " A quick sleeping spell and you will pass away without pain ". Abigail told him even if he couldn't listen. As she set herself in position, one of her hooves stepped over the bar of soap, she wobbled for a second before her hoof gave away and she fell at top of the big stallion producing another grunt from him and her. " Stupid piece of-! ". Her rant was cut short when she saw big green eyes watching hers back.

Everything that happened from that point forward happened in slow motion, or at least for Abigail. She saw the big pony watching her with surprise and interest in his eyes, she tried to move or at least say something but she couldn't get her eyes cyan eyes from the green ones, she didn't even move when he slowly moved his injured but still strong legs around slowly coming together behind her, her mind raced to catch rationality. 'He is going to strangle me! Do something! '.

By the time her mind reacted he already locked his front legs at her back, a firm and yet gentle squeeze, his body felt hot despite been wet, her own hooves we're now trapped at her sides, his mouth started setting into a smile while his eyes shinned with apparent joy. Something stirred within Abigail, an old sentiment that she hasn't felt since her time with Sophy Stone when she tried to be a surrogate mother to her.

Her brain now was working on the unknown, she was still entranced by those green orbs which saw her with some alien feeling, she could feel her own body trying to match the temperature if the big red pony. Her my new screamed to her to get back to her hooves and blast the intruding pony away, but her body wouldn't dare obey.

" Ah miss ya, ah miss ya, mah Sunny ". Every thought in her mind derailed and crashed in an imaginary landscape, her brain finally giving reason away and melting into the must primitive of senses, instinct.

After saying that he pushed his lips forward at the same time that his hooves brought her body closer. When the naked skin of their mouths connected, she was jolted with the sensation of the first contact with another being in such a way, her eyes somehow open wider in shock, she felt the soft brush of fur on fur as his lips massaged hers with soft moves that grew more vivid as time went on. It took her a minute to realize that she was trying to return the gesture in a sloppy and unskilled way, but the stallion didn't seem to care, if anything, Abigail heard grunts of satisfaction coming from him, either that or he was finally dying.

Just as slowly as it begin, it started to fade, their lips parted away, her expression was unreadable while his was in full glee, his eyelids went down until his green orbs disappeared, his face was locked in a satisfied manner and his body finally let his captive free.

Now able to move, Abigail did so but not in a hurry or with the intention of blasting the intruder to oblivion, she stepped back and when she was a good distance from him she touched her lips with a hoof, trailing the tip over the soft and now wet skin, she then put the hoof in front of her eyes expecting to see some residue or physical mark of what was causing the tingle she felt on them, but she didn't found one, only the firm realization of what happened.

Sunset Abigail Shimmer, leader of the equestrian rebellion against Princess Celestia, age 19, was kissed for the first time in her life.

NEONBUGG...

Pharynx reached the place he was looking for, a training room he used to put advanced recruits in shape, but there was more to it that only that. " Stop running you coward! It was fun chasing after you the first few minutes but now this is just pathetic, any semblance of respect I had for you is dust now! ". Crimson called coming from behind.

" Like I care bitch! ". Pharynx responded mostly to himself. He inspected the room before moving again, he saw what he need it and did mental notes of the what changed after the bombing, the door were heavy and fortified, the walls here were sturdier than other rooms, there were tunnels of different sizes made to train recruits in controlling their transformation faster and more efficiently.

Other parts were designed to train the accuracy of the magic blasts and how to use their bodies to the fullest, to increase stamina, reflex, speed, endurance, quick thinking and teamwork, many Changelings thought the training was all Pharynx's way to torture somepony else but he really wanted to have a force that could defend their city from attackers he really cared for the hive and the well-being of his brother.

The room was also operated by magic, right in the center of the room was the arena, and in the center was the activation switch that not only started the whole course but locked the room as well leaving no exit except for a single emergency door that Crimson didn't know about of course. Finally there was one final mechanism that would give him the edge, with that our of the way he turned around in time to see Crimson finally catching up.

She came to a stop when she saw him waiting int eh middle of the room. " Have you decided to die properly? ".

" Nah, just wanted to see your ugly face once more before sending you to wherever crazy bitches go when they die ". He said getting ready one more time.

She felt something was up and watched the room from side to side looking for the hidden trap. " What? Getting jumpy? I thought you weren't scare of me? ".

She turned back to him but there was no denying his wariness. " Never once, but I know enough of you to know that you got something hidden under your hoof ".

" Well damn, not only are you a bitch but your also a smart bitch! ". Proving her point, Pharynx pressed the tile under his hoof that worked as the switch. The mechanism activated and the door behind Crimson slammed shot with a defining boom. " What is this? What did you do? ". Crimson asked worried, her eyes scanning everywhere.

A cracking noise was heard next and she followed the noise to its origen, the switch which was now broken under Pharynx's hoof. " I just started this round, let's see if you like it ". As both warriors prepared to Duke it out again little by little the room came to life. Certain parts of the main area in the center started to move, some parts went up and others down shaping the area into a completely different terrain, the arena was no longer flat but now had a few parts with high ground and others sunk bellow the original level, few were the parts were the terrain didn't change, now it was impossible for either Changeling to launch direct attacks.

" You think this change anythi-!? ". Crimson was interrupted when Pharynx attacked with a magic blast that hit her in the side. With the arena now uneven, there was limited visibility and plenty of places where one could sneak in the opponent and Pharynx was just starting to use this new development to his advantage.

Crimson jumped out of the hole she was in order to caught her pray but found him gone already. " Show yourself coward! Fight me like a warrior! ". She waited for him to answer but to no avail, she tried to listen to the movement around but further from the arena, other training areas were making noise that did the task very difficult for her.

A second blast came crashing down on her, however she was alert enough to dodge safely but that was what her attacker expected and a third blast tagged her in the left back leg causing her to wobble for support, Pharynx again pushed his luck going for a body assault but Crimson used her injured tail to knock him back, it was a weak counter but it worked in keeping him from her.

He got back in motion quickly and went back into hiding, leaving Crimson with a hurt pride and let. " Enough! Come here if you dare! ". She placed herself and got her wings ready for a shockwave attack, Pharynx too used his wings but to get airborne and shoot again from above.

Crimson had expected this and released her attack but it was too far too be dangerous for the male bug while Pharynx's attack did hit her even if the damage was minimum. Still, he was hurting her while she couldn't land even one hit since they came inside the room, the fact that now she was in disadvantage did not escaped her but she didn't have another long range attack and now they were trapped here, or at least it looked that way, she needed something new to turn things around.

" Having fun yet? ". Teased Pharynx, a simple distraction to rest and heal.

" Grrrrh! ". Crimson only growled and turned in the direction that the voice came from expecting him to jump at any moment, to her shock, Pharynx came out left from where the voice originated, she readjusted fast but not fast enough to prepare her attack, so she went to meet brute force with her own.

The two collided with heavy grunts, While Crimson had better armor she was still pushed thanks to the momentum Pharynx carried, she was pushed to the ground but she made sure to take him with her and prevent him from getting distance. The two but warriors soon fell into a nasty brawl where hooves, bites, antlers and legs became the main weapons, been so close Pharynx couldn't use his antlers properly but Crimson was still wary of them and kept her attention divided and divided attention was the one thing you couldn't use against Pharynx.

Transforming into his large snake form, the male bug wrapped Crimson quickly and slipped his head behind the back of her carapace, then, he took a bite from her thin wings at the same time that she transformed into a dragon, the result was that Pharynx was send flying when his body couldn't stretch and coil around the new larger body, Crimson turned around toward him intended in finish him up but something dropped her, something wet, she twisted her neck to see what was causing her uncomfort, this quickly grew into pain as she found green blood oozing out of where her wings were supposed to be.

She turned toward Pharynx as he was getting up, back into his natural form, blood also spilling out from inside his chitin but what really got her attention was the chunk of crystal clear insectoid wings still clutched in his mouth. " Aaaaargh! ". Crimson roared when the pain and humiliation reached the top of her emotions at the same time.

Pharynx came up a bit dizzy and hurt all over but otherwise fine, he soon spit the thin pieces of wing in disgust but started laughing at the unexpected result. " Hahaha! Serves you right you ugly and now wingless bitch! Let's see you use that attack of yours now that your pristine little wings are nothing but trash in the ground! ".

" YOU! I'LL TEAR YOUR HEAD OFF! ". Still transformed in a dragon, Crimson threw away any semblance of strategy or plan she had and simply bulldozed her way through the obstacles trying to reach her target. Pharynx in his part wasn't going to stay and take her head on, while he succeeded in taking her best weapon she was still in better condition than him and he couldn't afford any mistake.

Enraged as she was, Pharynx had a hard time avoiding her, jumping from side to side could only last for so long before she could turn the whole arena into rubble, he then moved to another area of the room, he dove head first inside a small tunnel designed to shrink the deeper you advanced, it was made with the purpose of adapt transformations on the fly during a chase, Crimson had turn into a small form to chase after him, she chose a tiger, she quickly followed inside but in her haste she jumped hard against the walls of and too of the tunnel when it size got smaller, she transformed now into a fox and kept going deeper.

By now Pharynx reached the end of the tunnel, he took his original form now that the area was big enough to do so and charged his antlers with magic, he focused as much as he could before Crimson could pop out, when she did so, he threw a ball of magic directly at the entrance catching her directly in the face. " Arrrgh! ". The magic blast burned a good portion of her face but she was still able to ram Pharynx hard enough to send him flying.

The two were now in the floor, Pharynx was exhausted and his back was pretty injured, the cut wounds were worse now and he was having trouble breathing correctly. On her side, Crimson wasn't much better, she was bleeding from many parts of her body specially where Pharynx took a chunk of her wings she has also burns and she could only see with one eye.

Pharynx got up first, he took a few seconds to make sure his legs were steady enough for the next part, he walked toward her charging his antlers one more time, Crimson too started to rise, she was up while Pharynx was half way to her, her moves were erratic despite how fast she moved, Crimson sprinted at him as he shoot, at that distance dodge was impossible, Pharynx knew it and trusted in his aiming and the strength of his magic, Crimson too knew and that's why she would went for the attack. Before the blast could hit Crimson used her tail once more to block the blast, her tail was reduced to a lump of burned meat with the stinger destroyed completely but the sacrifice was acceptable for her, amidst her jump she transformed into a tiger again, Jaws wide open and going for his throat. Pharynx was now the one that couldn't dodge in time , his only response was to place his antlers between him and her and hope that they could cause some damage at least.

Sharp fangs hook into his neck, he felt his ornaments impale something but he couldn't see where as he instinctively jerked his head to protect his neck as much as possible, the momentum and weight of the heavier body pulled him along, pain assaulted his body entirely causing him to black out, his thoughts as he slipped into unconsciousness were for his brother, wishing he could have been a better brother.

Rainbow Dash had never experienced a war before, she knew since joining the Wonderbolts that it was always a possibility to partake in one but the prospect of it was still too alien for her, but here she was, not only fighting an invading force out of an allied city but commanding it as well.

" Second wave incoming! Wingponies be ready for support! ".

" Aye aye! ". Responded several Changelings flying behind her, the first wave came just as quick as the first attack on the city, the evil Changelings took the few good ones patrolling the air by surprise and did quick work out of them, however, most of the defenders were on ground level dealing with the leftovers of the original attack, as soon as they so their comrades been dispatched they took to the air and leveled the field with more numbers, the problem was that the chain of command was broken, they depended too much on Pharynx to give orders and since he was gone the only thing they knew was a few defensive manoeuvers and flying formations but nothing too complicated.

As soon as she joined them she was given command without a second thought, she was surprised and didn't feel like taking responsibility for an entire kingdom but in the current situation she couldn't deny the request, her loyalty to friendship kicked in.

With her at the hem of the flying force the first wave of Invaders was dispatched fast and with little casualties, but there were still some and Rainbow sucked that failure and strengthen her resolve to win.

" Break up! Break up! ". The defenders broke into groups of three each except for Rainbow and her pegasus companion, they let the Invaders pass through them blasting magic as they got closer and after that they broke into 2 bigger groups, one continued forward while the other circled around to chase the enemy. The Invaders had little coordination but their fought like a hive of wasps and that made them unpredictable.

Fortunately, Rainbow had experience from watching Spitfire dealing with this kind of flying enemies and had a plan to counter this. The group that chased the enemy kept shooting magic at them that did little injuries against their hard chitin, still it was distracting enough for the Invaders to engage and forget of the other group.

Rainbow brought the second group around from higher above, as they did so the previous group formed a wall and kept the Invaders at bay with magic and hooves but their evil cousins were now using their stingers when they were close enough, as she got closer Rainbow saw many of her allies been stab one or twice, even three times before succumbing to the poison and fall. She grinded her teeth and pushed herself forward, when the moment was the more critical and the defenders seemed to be overwhelmed Rainbow and the rest bomb dived on the enemy with a semi-sonic boom knocking the Invaders so hard that it was impossible for them to regain their senses before they hit the ground. Rainbow didn't stop however, nor did the rest, many of the evil Changelings survived the fall and we're already getting back up despite been heavily injured.

A new battle broke in the surface, more defenders rushed out to help and even some of the civilians full of grief, anger or just the wishing to help came too, Rainbow saw many more been injured while all the chaos continued. Sooner than later, numbers overwhelmed the ferocity of the Invaders and not long after the second wave came it was reduced to a few captives which struggled to keep fighting and the remaining dead.

" Stop fighting you idiots! This is over, you lose! At least accept that! ".

" You think this is over stupid mare? We are the true Changelings! Not this crayon colored copies! We will not stop until they are no more, and then, all Equestria will feed us, our Empress said so! ". As if proven his point, high above from the second huge cloud from which the first and second wave of Invaders came a third wave started to appear. Rainbow's jaw dropped, she didn't think the defenders would resist a mother attack, there were less soldiers and must of them were tired already.

She watched around and saw both fear and rage mixed with her allies, they were either about to run and hide until help could arrive or they would laugh themselves into another horrible battle, there was just one little factor that could push the good Changelings in either direction, one single thing.

" What do we do? ". Asked her companion.

" What do you think smart guy, Everycreature, ATTACK! ". Like a fire fed with gasoline, courage erupted within the defenders, they took to the air once more ready to give their lives for the future of their kind, Rainbow led them up.

ROYAL CHAMBER, NEONBUGG...

"Is she gonna be ok? ". Asked Applejack watching as the nurse Changeling attending Trixie. She was worried since the blue mare was twitching and trashing on the bed while moaning.

" She's ok, I already checked her up for signs of venom in her system and both times she came clean, the stinger hit her ear but there's not enough flesh to properly inject the poison.

" Then why is she trashing like a snake mating with a porcupine?! ". Asked the farmer pony.

" I can give you a ton of reasons but the main one is, she's hysterical, she also used a lot of magic, more of what she seems capable ".

" Ok yeah, ah saw her dispatching one of those guys by herself and she is know to have little magic to begin with, ok thanks Doc ".

" Now excuse me, I have many more patients to check up ".

" Of course, go ahead and thanks again ". Applejack took a look around the chamber and saw several more beds with nurses running around trying to take care of many injured, some of those beds had patients beyond salvation but they still tried to offer them some company.

It was a sad thing to look at for the orange mare, one that would become a permanent memory if she was lucky enough to survive.

" Is she better? I can have a personal nurse for her in no time? ". Came a male voice from behind, Applejack turned and found King Thorax, she had to look up as he was way taller that her now, with the addition of his antlers he was now taller that princess Celestia, now that she thought about it, since becoming a Princess, her friend Twilight has also undergone a slow but steady growth, it seemed to be normal occurrence for those who ascended.

" That's ok yer highness, she is just passing through the shock but she'll be fine, I'm sure ". The mare assured.

" Oh, that's good then, I know Trixie can be a handful when awake but watching her been a handful even unconscious is weird and not surprising at the same time ". The king took a look at his blue friend.

" Yeah, she is, so... how are things looking up? Any word from yer brother? ".

The changeling king responded never taking his eyes off Trixie. " Outside, outside things are progressing little by little, about Pharynx, there is no sighting of him so far ".
He let a long and loud sigh go. " I want to go outside, I want to be outside fighting for my city, my fellow Changelings, for myself, but... ".

" But ya can't, ya can't expose yerself and risk something happening to ya ". Thorax nodded finally turning to her.

" Every time I try to do something for myself to help my kind Pharynx would berate me about how foolish that is, about how my life means to much for me to risk it just by a simple need of feeling useful ".

" Ah can't say ah get where yer coming from but ah can see why he would want to keep ya safe away, he's not only in charge of yer life, the king, but her his little brother as well! He loves ya and want to keep ya away from danger and be the best king ya can be! ".

" I, I see that, believe me I do, but there has to be something else to do besides watching from afar! This can't be all that a king is suppose to do! ". Their little discussion felt into a awkward silence before some other discussion broke near the door to the chamber.

There was yells coming from outside of the door. " I told you already, you can come in if you don't have the password from the checkpoint, it is necessary! ".

" Bu-But, they didn't give me any password, they told me to run here so that my son could be cured, he was stabbed by one of those evil monsters! If my son doesn't get treated Soon he'll die! Please! Please! ".

" What's all this commotion? ". Asked Thorax walking with Applejack toward the door.

" My apologies your highness, this mare is trying to get in but she hasn't spoken the password from the checkpoint, every civilian that comes from the checkpoint is inspected to make sure no Invaders pass through, after the inspection a password is given to them so that we have proof that they were allowed, if they don't it could mean that they cake through another route or that they are in disguise ".

" But my child, if you don't let me in at least take my son, he's not well, he could die in any minute! Please, have mercy my king ".

Thorax saw the hatchling resting on the back of mother, it was breathing with effort and also sweating a lot. He had a nice mix of colors in his body that was quiet rare. He closed his eyes for a second recalling some important information. " Let them pass, prepare a bed for the hatchling and call a free nurse to attend the him right away ".

" Wha-what about me your highness? ". Asked the mother suddenly stepping in. " Can I come in too? ".

Thorax watched her in silence for a second before smiling and answering. " Of course you can, just hand over your son and I'll personally take you somewhere to rest ".

" Really? Thank you, thank you, thank you so much your highness! ". The mother bowed and after one of the guards took his son away she started walked forward next to the king. " This way ". As soon as Thorax turned his back on her she jumped at him transforming mid way, Applejack tried to scream at him and the guards tried to rush to his aid before a tragedy occurred.

Next thing that happened was that the transforming evil Changeling was send flying back by a brutal back kick. The evil mare slammed hard against the section of the wall near the door, it wasn't even seconds long before a flash of magic stroke the Changeling square on the face burning her eyes and blinding her completely.

Before the shock could even set Thorax went for the kill, stabbing the mare around the neck with his antlers in gruesome fashion, a single twist of his head was all it took to separate the head completely. The room was now completely silent after watching their loved and peaceful king kill an enemy with little hesitation.

" You, your highness! Are you ok?! ". One of the guards asked rushing to his side to make sure he was unscathed.

" I'm, I'm, for now, but now we don't have time, start evacuating every patient to my chamber right now, any available guard will stay with me to defend this room, the checkpoint has been overrun! ".

" How do ya know that? ". Asked Applejack still shocked but absorbing it. " How did ya know she was an imposter? ".

" I know every single one of my subjects, every single one. The little hatchling, his name is Radiant Mist, his father died fighting some years ago and his mother has different colors, she... I hope she is ok ". As Thorax explained this, the rest moved as fast as they could to put the patients in the other room while the guards were barricading the door.

" Applejack, I want you to go with the rest inside the next room, the door is magically sealed and will only open with or Pharynx's magic, it can be forced open but only with very powerful magic, you, Trixie and the rest should be fine until help arrives ".

" What? Yer asking me to run and leave ya and Rainbow Dash behind? Yer nuts if ya think ah will do that! ". Claimed the orange mare.

" Please Applejack, you're a guest of honor, there's no way I can ask you to fight for us, even more, you presence here wouldn't affect much, if they broke through the checkpoint that means there's a quite number of them, please Applejack, I'm asking this favor as a friend, stay with them, with my kin ". Thorax spoke with a solemn tone which did almost impossible to reject the favor for Applejack, she wanted to argue more but the door to the room was suddenly hit from the other side, meaning that the enemy was here already.

" Rggg! Fine! Fine! Ah'll do it! But ya have to promise me that you'll not give up! ".

Thorax smiled. " With everything I got, I swear ". Applejack nodded and turned tail and ran to the other room where Trixie and the rest were already moved. The door was closed soon after that leaving only 8 guards with their king.

" My king, you should be with them ". The leader of the guards told him. An older Changeling that his brother chose as second in command.

" I could never do that, I didn't became king to hide from our enemies and you didn't became guards to protect a coward, besides, even if I fall, I'm sure my brother will keep the hive safe in my stead ". The door was hit harder this time, some pieces of it even came off.

" Very well, just so you know, this was my last day, after today I was planning in travel through Equestria like my favorite hero Daring Do ". The guard told him smiling.

" You don't say, if this was a joke then the timing couldn't be worse ". The door almost give up after the third hit.

" No jokes your highness, just throwing some last moment conversation to relax the nerves ".

" Well that was terrible, you have as bad humor as my brother, still, it was an honor been your boss ".

" Likewise, now, prepare for combat! ". At once 9 sets of antlers charged magic, with a last strike the door finally came down, several Invaders came through the fallen barricade and were shot immediately, then the defenders transformed as more Invaders rushed in, the noise of battle could be heard far from there, loud at first but diminishing as it when on.

FARSIDE HOTEL...

Trixie Lulamoon was just getting ready to take a bite from her sandwich when the phone rang, after a grunt she pixie up. " Trixie? Honey? Are you there? ". Came the voice from the woman that gave Trixie the money from last time.

" Ah yes it is I! What can I do for you? ".

" Could you be a dear and come to my room? There's something I need help with, I'll pay you good ".

" Uh? I don't know, is my break and also I'll get yell at if I leave the reception for too long ".

" Uuuuh, are you sure? Not even for $100 more? ".

" T-the powerful Trixie wants to bu-but the things is- ".

" How about $300? ".

" I'll be there ASAP! ". Trixie hanged up and rushed to the elevator but then she remembered what happened last time, she want back to the desk and took her cellphone with her, she then prepared the device to record the little meeting and put it in her front pocket. Soon she was knocking on the door of Emerald's room.

" Oh you are fast, good good, now then come in ". Trixie nodded and made it inside.

" What do you need me for? ".

" Just a few questions about some of the tenants, but first ". Emerald took Trixie by the chin and made her look into her eyes, a few seconds later the girl was under her spell.
" Now dear, tell me, what do you know of the girl named Gloriosa Daisy? ".

After what seemed like hours, Trixie woke up standing outside Emerald's room completely disoriented and holding three bills in her hand, all hundreds. " What the fu-oh! I think I'm gonna be sick! ". The girl rushed to the nearest restroom and made it in time to expel the bike on her stomach. After the little nasty incident, she returned to her job, forgetting for the time been that her phone captured the whole conversation in its memory.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE'S HOUSE...

" Wow! Like, Wow! ". Was all Timber could say after seen his girlfriend all dressed up for their date.

" Thank you Timber, you look great too ". She praised back his appearance.

" I know that but you! You are like, like an angel! ". Twilight could hardly stop blushing as the big threw comment after comment about her beauty.

" Thank you ". She took him by the collar and planted a hungry kiss in his lips that he returned with passion, after the kiss Timber looked like he was drunk on love with dreamy eyes and mouth open.

" Wow! I can barely wait for the night to come ".

" M-Me too, I just want to be with you today and show you how much you mean to me!".

" Me too Twilight, now then, your limousine awaits my princess ". Timber said using a chivalry tone like those used by Rarity and bowed for her.

" Thank thee, my knight, take me to the best night ever! ". Twilight offered her hand that he took with pleasure.A few minutes later, the couple was in their road to adulthood.

NEONBUGG...

Tired and beat, Rainbow Dash saw that they were now winning, but that came to a high cost, there were just a few soldiers still fighting but the rest were just normal Changelings, civilians. The exchange of life for saving the city was too much, her heart sunk even more when another group of Invaders came out of the cloud again.

" You have to be kidding me! ". Rainbow tried to fly once more but as soon as she did it pain shot through her left wing, the rough maneuvers and damage she had taken finally caught up to her. " Argh! Come on stupid wings! Fly, fly, Fly! ". A couple of evil Changelings came at her fast.

Despite her best efforts, her wing didn't reacted positively, no power of friendship came to save her, at least, not a flashy one. Before the closest Changeling could take her down for good, a golden blur took the first one with it, before the second Changeling could wonder what happened, a blue blur took it just the same way, both Changelings were spearheaded by another opponent and force crashed into the nearest wall at huge speed with no chance of survival. " What the? ".

" Hey Rainbow Crash! Still making me work overtime aren't ya? ". Came the voice of the first pony that saved her.

" Good to see you again Dash, hope we didn't arrive too late! ". Came the second voice belonging to a male bluish pegasus.

" S-Spitefire? Soaring? ". Rainbow could hardly believe the timed arrival of her former Wonderbolt friends.

" That's right girl, we came to lend you a hoof, we all did! ". The former Captain pointed upward where a full squadron of pegasus wearing the new and old uniforms of the Wonderbolts we're now engaging the enemy.

Rainbow almost cried when she saw her underlings fighting accompanied by her former flymates and o overtaking the enemy faster than before.

" Leave the rest to us girl, we'll turn this thing around in no time! ". Help finally arrived.

REGAL'S RESIDENCE...

Sunset was currently helping Starlight preparing the table to have supper with her and her adopted family, both Luna and Celestia worked in the kitchen at the moment only giving minor task to the girls while they finished. " Sunset? Would you mind turning on the TV, you can watch it while we finish this ".

" Ok Miss Celestia ". Sunset saw her flinch a little after calling her that way and immediately apologize.

" That's ok Sunset, I know you must be feel confused, just have patience ". Sunset nodded and went to do as she was ask. She found Starlight already there trying to turn the decide on but failing.

" You reminded me to myself when Miss Luna asked me the same when they took me in the first time ". Sunset said smiling for the memory. " Here, let me try ".

Sunset pushed the button in the lower part of the screen just as she remembered. The screen turned on immediately at the image of an older woman around her 50's, she had her name as Mayor Chancemare and she was giving a special speech.

" Is the weather report on Sunset? ". Asked Celestia.

" Hm, no, is the Mayor of Canterlot apparently ".

"Old Mrs Earna? Is it elections time already? ". Asked Luna receiving a negative from her sister.

Sunset turned the volume up. " -tarting tomorrow, citizens under 20 will have to be accompanied by an adult after 9pm and forbidden to be outside after 10pm, this Law will remain until the situation is considered safe for our young ones, this of course is as respond to the incidents in both the nightclub know as ' The Hub ' , the warehouse belonging to Mr Rich, the General Hospital and of course, the recent Kidnaping of Macintosh Apple and Lemon Zest ".

" What? ". Sunset was shined hearing his name. Luna and Celestia came just seconds later after hearing that.

" Currently, Miss Zest is been kept under medical observation in the General hospital while Mr Apple's current whereabouts are still unknown, Chief of police Grass has several of his personnel looking for him as well as searching for clues as to a third suspect which is believed to be a woman, more dates will be provided by the chief himself to whom now I'll allow the word ". The woman moved out of the camera and was replaced by a younger looking man with green hair wearing the police uniform.

" Big Mac? What, what happened with Big Mac? Why didn't anyone told me anything? ".
Sunset turned to see the three women with clear guilt in their faces.

" We, we didn't know how to break things to you, you were acting strange and we didn't know how much it would affect you to know about it ".

" We are worried for both of you but for now we can only help you Sunset ".

" N-no! I... this is- Aggh! ". Sunset felt her knees give up again and her head start to pound hard.

" Sunset! ". The three others rushed to her but it was too late as Sunset felt again into the void in her mind.

END OF CHAPTER.

Author's Notes:

Again sorry if this is taking too long but it seems that finally next week we'll be back to 10 hrs shifts which will give me more time to write. Also if you don't mind check out my new story ' Beware of the quiet one'. A short FlutterMac story that came to me one day when I was bored out of my mind. It will be posted as soon as it pass moderation.

Anyway, thanks for reading and the next chapter will be after I give my other stories a go. Next chapter: 36.- Triple Threat, part 1.